Knowledge of Egyptian Women About Uses of Breast Milk and Effectiveness on Hair Growth in Neonates

Abstract

Background: It is still common for mothers in Egypt to accept and use traditional practices. Breast milk practice (using breast milk to prevent body hair growth in the neonate) is one of these practices that needs more clarification and explanation. Aim: To measure the extent of women’s knowledge about breast milk practice and its effectiveness on body hair growth in neonates. Methods: An exploratory descriptive design was used to achieve the study goal. A purposive sample (only included participants who have personal experience with breast milk practices) of 233 participants were selected from Qena hospitals. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data. A face-to-face interview method involved 233 participants (cases=135, applied person=98) who were recruited from the included sittings. Descriptive statistics mainly percent and frequency by used to represent the study tables. Results: The source of used milk was the mother in most cases, but in 23% of the cases, the milk was brought from the case’s breast him/herself. Breast milk practice is usually done at birth in 65% of the cases, they mainly (54%) use milk to prevent facial hair growth. Most of the participants agreed that breast milk prevents body hair growth and recommended it to others (in the cases; agree=57.78%, recommend it=75.55%, and the applied persons; agree=60.20%, recommend it 80.61% respectively). Conclusions: Breast milk practice is acceptable in Upper Egypt, they strongly believe that this practice prevents body hair growth, especially facial hair. Recommendation: Another study with a large sample size in different locations in Egypt to measure the extent of this practice among Egyptian women.